The dashboard function enables connection to a container using the Star Cool Connect Dongle. This provides an instant overview of the current software version, active alarms and warnings, and the warranty repair history of the unit.
Maersk Container Industry (MCI) manufactures refrigerated containers and refrigeration machines to their customers. It has always been MCI’s goal to support their customers’ need for highly energy-efficient reefer solutions to help them reduce costs and meet their sustainability goals.
With an average working life of 12-15 years, reefer containers need regular servicing and fast repairs to ensure that operators achieve maximum value from their investment. But this work means downtime. The faster the condition of the reefer can be identified, diagnosed and with appropriate action taken, the quicker it will be back in operation. This is the essence of the Star Cool Service mobile app that MCI had in their digital offering.
However, MCI felt they needed to upgrade the entire platform as it was no longer meeting their needs and was not maintainable in the long run. So that’s when Trifork stepped in to help reimplement the existing app with an improved architecture and design.
The Star Cool Service app was initially built to support service technicians on site at the harbours and on the ships, to increase the speed and efficiency of maintenance operations on all their reefers.
As this is an increasingly business-critical solution, affecting a globally deployed IoT system that hundreds of people use in their daily work, it was important for MCI the achieve these key objectives:
Using best practices, known architectures and innovative Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, the team were able to ensure the IoT aspect of the solution worked quickly and efficiently and build a simple & intuitive service app.
Using best practices, known architectures and innovative Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, the team were able to ensure the IoT aspect of the solution worked quickly and efficiently and build a simple & intuitive service app.
The dashboard function enables connection to a container using the Star Cool Connect Dongle. This provides an instant overview of the current software version, active alarms and warnings, and the warranty repair history of the unit.
The technician’s toolkit contains temperature, resistance, and pressure converters. You can simply enter the value and instantly see the converted amount in the relevant units
Using the alarm code lookup, technicians can enter the 3-digit alarm code and review the alarm name, cause, and troubleshooting steps
Technicians are able to browse through quick guides, service manuals, and instruction videos, all optimized for mobile devices
Warranty claims can be entered directly from the app by scanning or entering container and part numbers, taking pictures, and downloading a data-log directly from the unit using the Star Cool Connect Dongle
Technicians are able to view all notifications in the inbox, including service bulletins and product newsletters
Technicians are able to look up alarm codes offline as well as download selected guides, videos, and manuals Information can be accessed 24/7 by both technicians and back-office staff directly through the app, using a smartphone or any other mobile device. This service is constantly available and ensures that issues are resolved, logged and reported faster.
Collaborating well as a team and getting through some practical challenges together, MCI and Trifork were able to successfully achieve all the requirements and objectives to ensure a future-proof solution. The new Star Cool Service app is fully rolled out and in production, and has seamlessly replaced the old version.
We were able to measure the code quality and scored a 9.5 on Code Scene, which now means that new features will be a lot faster and cheaper to implement on the new platform. The next version is in the pipeline with great ambitions from MCI to extend the app in the future in order to maintain their innovative approach to customer service, which they now feel they can do with the upgraded version.
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